Art of applying tissue wrappers to cigars, &amp;c.



G. M. WILLIAMS. ART OFAPPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS T0 CIGARS, 8m.

APPLICATION FILED A FR. 4,19?!

ammm, V

Patent-ed July 21918,.

TSHEETS SHEET 1- G. M. WILLIAMS ART OF APPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS T0 CIGARS.,&Q.

APPLICATVION FILED APR-4.1917.

' Patented July 2, 1918.

7 SHEETSSHEET 2.

rf'l'ia lllll I'lllll ll \Q l l l l lllllllll 7 9g feoi 'yejf W $1 1M4 fi th M401 4,

G. M. WILLIAMS.

ART OF APPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS T0 CIGARS, &c.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4,1917.

Patented July 2,1918.

ISHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. M. WILLIAMS ART OF APPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS T0 CIGARS, 6w.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4-, 1917.

I Patented July 2, 1918.

TSHEETS-SHEET 4.

I fwd wow a yef f %1 744 0 abto'wpc-lfa,

e. M. WILLIAMS; ART OF APPLYINGTISSUE WRAPPERS TO CIGARS, &c. APPLICATION FILED APR. 4, 1917- 7SHEETSSHEET 5.

q I 3 nyewtoz, eor ye'flf MA Que (Me 1 4, i

= Pdtented July 2, 1918.

G. M. WILLIAMS. ART OF MZPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS T0 CIGARS, &c.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 4.1917. j -g yl'p a Patented July 2, 1918.

ISHEETSSHEET 6.

N L\ W 7 v vemo, 6:907: 9 flfysifiam. $1 MA Gamma G. M. WILLIAMS.

ART OF APPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS T0 CIGARS, m.

, JAPPLICAUON FILED APR. 4,19l7- 1,271,403. I

TSHEETS-SHEET 7.

Patented July 2, 1918..

removed,

STATES PATEN GEORGE M. WILLIAMS, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, TO P. LORILLARD COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ART OF APPLYING TISSUE WRAPPERS TO CIGARS, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1918.

Application filed April 4, 1917. Serial No. 159,664.

;\.) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of applying inclosing wrappers to articles, the invention involving themethod of and apparatus for applying inclosing wrappers to cigars, cheroots, etc., or other articles of.

merchandise, either individually or in a collective package.

\Vhile the structure is adapted for use with articles other than cigars, cheroots, etc., it is designed more particularly for use in applying a 'wrapperpreferaloly of tissue paperto cigars, cheroots, etc., or other articles which are essentially of such character as to be easily damaged.

For instance, one of the important features of a cigar is the wrapper which must be of proper material and properly applied to the filler. in order that the purchaser may have no ditliculty in smoking it. The wrapper, usually spirally wrapped, must befree from breaks or other damaging effects, in-

order to produce the desired result; when the wrapper has been damaged or broken, salable value of the cigar is lost. And owing to the fragile nature of the tobacco leaf, such dz'image is easily produced even careless handling of the cigar, subjecting it to undue pressure, or turning against friction in a direction tending to open the close winding of superposed spiral layers, will affect the con-' dition of the cigar for use.

Therefore, in attempting to apply an in closing container for the completed cigar, a number of ditliculties are encountered, in that the container itself and the applying operation must be such as to prevent dtllll. aging the cigar and especially its Wrapper, in order that assurance will be had that the cigar so inclosed will, when the inclosure is be found intact and usable. Among the problems to be met are 1. Since the value of the container lies, among other advantages, in tending to retain the aroma, reduction of the tendency of the cigar to become dry, and preservation of the original quality of the cigar generally, the applied wrapper or container must be wrapped snugly, producing a close-fit effeet.

2. To provide the snug-fitting effect, not only must the wrapping be carefully provided, but the ends must be well twisted to insure such fit adjacent the cigar ends and the formation of atwisted end which will maintain the wrapper in snug-fitting relation and also close the ends of the container.

3. The twisting action tends to extend inward beyond the cigar ends and thus places considerable pressure on the body of the cigar at such ends, this pressure rapidly increases with any material increase in resistance to the shortening action on the ends- 9 tion.

4. The wrapping operation must be'such as to prevent a relative movement of wrapper and cigar such as would cause a torsional effect on the cigar and. its Wrapper, to prevenp disturbance of the close wrapping of the tobacco leaf wrapper or damage to such wrapper. v

To meet these problems I preferably employ a suitable tissue paper as the wrapping material, thereby reducing liability of dam age owing to the flexibility of the paper and its ready accommodation to the configuration of the cigar." In wrapping the tissue sheet, I limit the resistance to the shortening action of the sheet end portions during the twisting operation, thereby limiting the pressure which is placed on the ends of the manipulation to produce the proper result,

and while the result can be obtained by manual manipulation, the productlve capacity is exceedingly low, thus makmg the labor cost of adding such wrapper relatively high,

it, being understood that the production of a satisfactory product requires the services of an experienced workman; as the manipulations must be made with care and differ in f the wrapper produced by the twisting ope kind, the time required to complete the operations is such as to render the output of the experienced operator comparatively small. While it has been contemplated to meet this difficulty by providing mechanism which willrotate the cigar and wrapper while the ends are retained in the fingers of the operators hands, thus permitting the twisting of both ends of the wrapper concurrently through the use of both handsthe capacity is not materially increased diieit'o the necessity of completing the operation on one cigar beforetaking any steps in preparation for one hand of the operative free to prepare the succeeding cigar for twisting action, thus materially increasing capacity without affecting the product. I

It also contemplates an apparatus in which the tissue sheet is mechanically held during the wrapping of the cigar with the optional additional feature of tacking the free edge .of the rolled wrapper, thus insuring a maintenance of the fixed condition of the wrapper during the twisting operation as well as tending to prevent puckering of the intermediate portion of the wrapper and closing this portion enabling V the operator tomaintain the position of the cigar with one hand during the twisting operation, where no specific holding means are employed.

The invention also has for its objects the production of apparatus simple and etficient in operation, durable in construction and of low cost of manufacture and maintenance.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invpntion is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention further consists in the novel method of producing a twisted end to the inclosing wrapper.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the-views Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of apparatus for carrying out principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views, on an enlarged scale, taken on lines 33 and 4 1, respectively, of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5, is a bottomplan view.

Fig. 6 is a View, partly in section and partly in elevation, of one of the twister units. v

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail showing mechanism operative in the 'control of a twister unit. I

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on line s s of Fig. :7.

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail sectional viewsv taken on lines 9 9 and lO--10, respectively of. Fig. 1. i

Fig. 11 is a' detail sectional line 11 11 (if Fig, 3.

Fig. 12 is aiplan view of a preferred form view taken on of tissue blank.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the completed packagethe tissue-inclosed cigar.

Fig. lat is a detail view showing the package formation priorto end-twisting.

Figs. 15 to 18 show diagrammatically successive developments in the end-twisting op lem is made difficult by the fact that the' cigar Wrapper is of a .materialleaf tobacco easily damaged and is generally applied in spiral form, so that the possibility is present of loosening the spiral and destroying the value of the cigar for smoking purposes in cigar form.

Obviously, the apparatus being adapted to successfully meet these onerous conditions, will be capable of use in connection with other articles of the same general contour but not having these conditions present as an inherent factor.

As heretofore pointed out, I prefer to provide the wrapper 6r container blank in the form of a sheet of tissue paper of suitable texture-comparatively tough, yet flexible and soft. .This sheetis wrapped about the cigar with the ends of the sheet projecting beyond the ends of the cigar.. The ends are then twisted, with the twistpreferably in the same direction and similar in direc tion to the direction in which the. wrapper is applied, thus tending to maintain the wrapper in snug-fitting relationto the cigar, If desired, the outer edge of-the blank may, in addition to the end-twisting, be tacked in position,

Owing. to the character of the wrapping sheet and the inherent liability of damage to the cigar, the wrapping operation becomes of considerable importance. To insure safety to wrapper and cigar during this operation, I'prefer. to employ hand rolling, although this maybe substituted by mechanical mechion anism. without departing from the spirit of damaging the cigar is reduced to a minimum.

This wrapping of the sheet is had on a plate 20 secured to a block 21 carried by-the table 22 suitably supported. Plate 20 may have a guide 20 against which one of the longitudinal edges of-the sheet is fed.

The plate is preferably positioned in front of a pair of spaced-apart members 23 mounted on the standards 24 carried on slides 25 mounted on retainers 26 carried by the table. Each member is formed with an approximately V-shaped depression'QS and an upstanding portion 23 beyond the depression. These members are adapted to receive and support the cigar and its tissue wrapperwhich may be termed a package-during the endtwisting operation. Members 23 and slides are preferably adjustable to permit shifting to accommodate for cigars of different lengths and thicknesses, these members being adapted to position the package with proper. relation to "the twisting units. Depressions 23 are in alinement.

In the present embodiment the package is held stationary during the twisting operation preferably by the hand of the opera torand hence the depressions are freely open at the top to permit ready positioning of the package, upstanding portions 23 acting to prevent carrying the package beyond the depressions, thus reducing the time required in positioning the package.

However, as pointed out in a companion application, this package support may be of a different form and may be of a type adapted to provide rotation to the packagethe twister units remaining stationarythus permitting both hands of the operator to be free during the twisting operation.

. In each case. however, thesupport is preferably located directly in rear of plate 20 so that the package may be seated on membore 23 with an arm movement which is practically a continuation of the cigar wrapping operation taking place on plate 20.

Fort-he purpose of retaining the sheet in its position on-plate. 20, I preferably employ a holding mechanism which may be of suitable type, A preferred mechanism embodies the use of a light suction, made effective through a series of perforations 20 in plate 20, these perforations opening into a chamber 21 in block 21, this chamber having a controllable connection with a suctionproducing mechanism (not shown) through conduit 27. Conduit 27 is controlled by suitable means, that shown in the drawings (Figs. 3 and 4) being in the form of a plate 28 adapted to reciprocate longitudinally in a plane intersecting conduit 27 and having an opening 2-8" which ismoved into and out of registration with saidconduit by such reciprocations. The plate thus forms a valve v tit for controlling the activity of the suction at the outer ends of perforatiops 20". The

forations and then actuate the valve to open the suction, preferably by a treadle (not shown). The time of return movement of the valve may be controlled in any suitable manner, the disclosed arrangement placing it during the twisting operation, but this maybe varied as will be obvious, it being deemed desirable that the suction should be applied for a period suflicient to coverthe rolling or wrapping operation, thus tending to maintain the position of the outer edge of the sheet and enabling the operator to roll or wrap the sheet on to the cigar rapidly and at the same time wrap with the proper tightness and freedom from pucker, etc. As will beunderstood, wrapping takes place while the suction is active, the operator placing the cigar at the advance portion of the held sheet, bringing the advance edge over the cigar and then rolling the cigar toward guide 20*, the sheet thus being wrapped about the cigar, the. suction being ineflt'ective to prevent the sheet from being raised from a row of perforations. The cigar with the sheet rolled thereon is then placed on the support (members 23) and the endtwisting mechanism brought into operation.

Since the suction is not applied continuously, being brought into action at the will of the operator, the sheet can be freely moved about on plate 20, quickly brought to the proper position, and held there by rendering the suction active.

If desired, the free edge of the rolled sheet may be tacked to the underlyingportion. this action producing an advantageous result in tending to close the intermediate .wrapper, extending lengthwise of the wrapper a suitable distance, but preferably not extending into the portion being twisted.

In the present embodnnent of the inven .tion, the tacking is provided by the application of a stripe of paste to the sheet at or adjacent the sheet edge in contact with guide :20. This stripe may be applied by any suitable mechanism, one form applicaplace, the wrapper will not ble for such use being shown in the drawings and located in rear of members 23. The structure shown embodies a paste-con taining reservoir '29, carried by table 22, and in which is located a rotatable roller 30, of suitable peripheral contour. Roller extends into the paste of reservoir 29, taking up a film of paste and delivering it to a suitable applying mechanism. The latter, at the proper time, is brought forward into contact with the sheet and then withdrawn, thus applying the stripe to the sheet the applying mechanism having a width sufiicient to produce the length of the stripe. The path of movement of this applying mechaanism in the present embodiment extends between members 23 (Fig. 9). but it is obvious that the mechanism may be located at a difi'e rent point, as for instance overhead or at one side of the wrapping plate and be brought into proper relation to the sheet. In the present form, however, the arrangement is such that the paste carrying member may be narrow, taking up a small amount .of paste, and after being brought into con- -tact with the sheet, the withdrawing action will wipe over the sheet and distribute the paste in such manner as to not cause any materlal effect on the tissue sheet. Hence, when thesucceedmg wrapping action takes material extent.

31 designates the paste applying member, formed of suitable material, this member being removably secured to a carrier 32 having its rear end pivotally connected to a vertically extending support 33 carriedby a slide 34 (Fig. 10) mounted in guides 35 carried by a supporting frame 36 mounted on table 22, member 31 being located at the forward end of carrier 32 and normally positioned to rest in contact with roller 30' I (Figs. 4 and 9.)

v Support 33 extends below the plane of slide 34, and has a face 33* adapted to cooperate with one 'arm of a pivoted bell crank lever 37 the other arm of which is connected to a suitable operating mechanism (not shown) such for instance as a treadle.

The carrier is normally held in its rear position by a spring 47 connecting support 33 with frame 36, said spring acting to return the parts when operation of lever 37 has carried the carrier forward and the treadle released to permit return.

"It is desirable that the forward movement of member 31 retain it out of contact with the sheet, thus restricting its movement,

while in contact,. to one direction, and to provide this result I employ mechanism for guiding the forward end of the carrier to raise it durin the forward movement, then permit it'to rop to bring member 31 into contact with the sheet and then withdraw the carrier. A simple-mechanism for pro pucker to any ducing this. result is shown in Figs. 3 and 10 inwhich the side walls of frame 36 are shown as having recesses 36 in which is pivotally mounted a cam-member 39 which acts in the nature of a switch point, thus forming an inclined groove 38 normally open as..in Fig. 3 and a return groove 38 normally closed by the point. This construction is employed on opposite sides of the carrier 32, the latter carrying rollers 32 adapted to travel insuch grooves, these rollers normally resting in the recess in rear of the switch point. Durin the forward movement rollers 32 travel in grooves 38, moving downward at the forward end of such grooves and entering grooves 38 in which they travel during the return move-- ment of the carrier, the switch-points raising to permit the passage of the rollers during this movement.

Paste roller 30 carries a ratchet wheel 30- the twisting operation) and at a time when,

member 31 is in contact with roller 30, it will be understood that said member Will receive its quota of paste while stationary and in advance of the succeeding pasting op eration, so that the amount of paste to be applied can be somewhat controlled, it being possible for any excess delivered to member 31 to be drained off of said member in advance of the member movement. 7

As it is desired that during the paste-applying operation the tissue sheet be firmly held, suction action is applied in advance of contact of member 31 and the sheet. This timing relation may be provided in any suitable manner. In the present embodiment this control is had by placing the conduitopening action of plate 28 under control of "the actuating mechanism for carrier 32,

. M is adapted. to move plate 28 forwardly concurrently with the forward movement of carrier 32 this movement of plate 28 placeasily damaged tobacco wrapper, and the .tissue sheet forming the inclosing wrapper,

28 rides over a pivoted catch member 46,

normally held in position by spring :6, thus locking plate 28 in such position.

retains its position with opening 28 in registration with the conduit. i

Plate 28 may be released in any suitable manner to permit spring 4-5 to return it to its position of inactivity. In the drawings this release is shown as provided by a cam 41 carried by shaft 41. This places the control in the twisting mechanism, but it is obvious that this control may beotherwise provided, it being preferred, however, that the shuttingofl' of the suction be automatically provided in advance of positioning of the succeeding tissue sheet in order to permit free positioning action. v

- From the above it will be understood that the package, formed of the cigar with its is produced in such manner as to reduce liability of damage to a minimum, while at the same time the operation may take place with rapidity, providing for comparatively high capacity. In producing this result the particular location of the wrapping plate relative to the package support is of advantage, in that the operator is able, by a practically continuous motion of the arm, to form the package and position it for twisting operation. In this operation the suction mechanism, applied at will, materially aids, since it retains the positioned sheet while paste is being applied-if this mechanism is being used; also while the operator is picking up and positioning the cigar to be wrapped, and during the wrapping opera tion, thus insuring smooth and snugfitting wrapping of the cigar. It will also be understood that during these operations the integrity of the cigar and sheet is being constantly protected to insure the production, of an undamaged to provide an overlapping relation but of a length less than the length of a single convolution.- Obviously, the blank width may be increased to provide superposed convolut-ions without departing from the spiritof the invention, but such arrangement increases the cost of the sheet and such excess There fore when inember3l is withdrawn, plate 28 i then closed upon the ends.

that of rotation.- the ends foreshortens such ends, and this ismaterial is not essential when the operation I is provided in accordance with the principles of my invention-the construction being designed to operate with the thin and flexible end configuration of the wrapped tube.

Where, as in the present embodiment of the invention, the wrapped cigar is manually held during twisting of the ends, the use of length of the wrapper, the tacking ac-' tion will'be positively produced during the wrapping operation.

Hence, the entire tube-forming operation is completed and the package placed in position with the singlearm movement whether or not the tacking operation isemployed- The inclosing operation is completed by twisting the ends of the tube preferably in the same direction and in the direction of aging strains on the tube or providing twist-- ing action which will damage the cigar .In the present embodiment, where the twirling action is by the ends in forming the twist, rotating twister mechanisms are .employed, these being held inoperative and out of position to obstruct the positioning of the package. The start of twisting ac tion is placed undercontrol of the operator to prevent premature activity of the twist ers.

When the package is in po'sitionthe twisters are moved to an operative position and This is followed by the'rotation of the twisters for a predetermined number of turns, after which the tivisters open and move to the inoperative positions. the twisters have no movement excepting Obviously, twisting of compensated by permitting the ends to move relatively to thetWisters in a direction to During the twisting operation,

i withdraw the ends from the twistersfthe ent to effect a proper twisting. action.

ably secured to the elements but which may As a result the irregularity in contour of the cigar is-unimportant, the twisting ends of the wrapper moving lengthwise of the twisting fingers as may be required under the twisting action. Hence, the speed of the 'twisters may be comparatively high without damaging the wrapper and without placing any strains on the tobacco wrapper of the cigar to break it or tend to unwind its convolutions.

tailed description of one for instance that shown at the left in Fig. 1, will besufficiently indicative.

49.and 49 indicate .pedestals (which may be independent or unitary, as desired), pedestal 49 carrying a bushing or sleeve 50 to which is secured adrive member 51; pedestal 49 carries a bushing 50 said bushings being-axially alined and adapted to receive a shaft 48 free to rotate in said bushings. Shaft 48 is free to move axially in sald bushings, a pinion 52 thereon limiting the length of such movement, especially in the advancing direction in which contactof pinion 52 and bushing 50 prevents further advance movement.

Shaft 48 carries a support 53 for a pair of pivotally mounted elements 54 carrying fingers 55, the latter being shown as remov obviously be formed integral therewith.

Fingers 55-are of suitable configuration the grasping faces being substantially flat. The advance ends of the fingers are approximately pointed, widening as the face recedes from such end. Consequently, that portion ofthe finger which is closest to the twist has a relatively narrow face in contact with the tube end, permitting a ready twisting action to take place, the wider face portions gripping the wrapperto produce the proper relative movement of the ends and body of the wrapper sheet. In other .words, the widest gripping face is at the extreme end of the tube, such face decreasing in width toward the twist, the more or less pointed end extending approximately toflthe twist. Hence, the twist is started at a point spaced from .the wrapper ends andas the shortening action takes place, the wrapper end shifts its position in a direction to with'- draw, practically decreasing the amount of face contact (length and width) asthe length of the untwisted portion of the end decreases, thus providing compensation for the twisting actlon without liability of damaging the tissue sheet. .This is of great adand easily damaged, especially I on the support.

vantage where the sheet is relatively thin when operating in connection with a to acco wrapper and on a cigar configuration which may vary more or less'with successive cigars. Fur

thermore, the structure enables formation of" a twist extending throughout the length of the free ends of the wrapper.

The inactive position of the fingers is shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the fingers being opened to the full extent and located to permit the free positioning of the package Mounted at the outer ends of elements 54 are rollers 54 which coiperate with a cam 56 splined to shaft 48 to rotate therewith but free to move longitudinally of the shaft.

The initial movement of the fingers is to advance them to a position from which a simple closing action will properly locate them on the wrapper end. Such advanced position is shown at'dotted line position A in Fig. 6', the fingers remaining open. This travel of the fingers is provided by advancing shaft 48 until pinion 52 contacts with bushing 50", this movement being had through suitable mechanism one form in which it may take being new described.

Shaft 48 is shown as hollow as at 48 for a portion of its length, said hollow portion being adapted to receive a spring 57 and a stubshaft 58, the latter having a pin 59 cooperating with a slot 48 in shaft 48. Mounted on shaft 58 is a clutch member 60, carrying a grooved member 61 with which an arm 62 cotiperates, arm 62 being carried by,a rod or other connection 63 located below table 22. Cam 56 also carries a grooved portion 56 with which an arm 64, carried by the rod 63, cotiperates,

- Rod 63 is movable longitudinally in bearings, and has its inner end connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 65 the other, arm being operatively connected to a vertical slide 66 mounted in guides carried by the table, and connected to a suitable operating device (not shown) such as a treadle. Slide 66 is normally held elevated by a spring 67, thus retaining rod 63 in its outer position; as arms 62 and 64 are carried by rod 63 and these arms control the positions of-member 60 and its shaft 58 as well as cam 56, it will be understood that these several parts are in the outer position. At this time pin 59 is at the outer end of slot 48 thus placing shaft 48 in its outer position, rollers 54 being in contact with cam 56 at an inner point of the inclined face.

, When the operator desires to bring fingers 55to position A, the treadle is depressed thereby advancing rods 63 and moving members 60 and cams 56 toward the'center of the machine. While cam 56 is free on shaft 48 and shaft 58 is yieldingly supported in'shaft 48 by spring 57 it will be mesh with pinions 52.

understood that this advancing movement will be communicated to shaft 48, elements 5e and cams 56 practically moving together, spring 57 aiding in producing this movement, it being understood that little, if any,

resistance against this initial movement of the shaft is present. This advancing movement is continued until pinion 52 contacts with bushing-50 which prevents further advance of shaft 48, this being the position indicated atjFA.

However, the movements of rods 63 continue, thus moving 58 relative to, shaft 48 (permitted by the pin and slot connection), compressing spring 57, anolYadvancing cam 56, while elements 54 remain held against advance. -As a result clutch member 60 approaches the path of movement of a complemental member 60 movable with drive member 51 while the inclined faces of cams 56 operate on elements 54 to move fingers 55 in directions to close on to the free ends of the tissue wrapper, the position indicated in dotted lines at B in Fig. 6.

This closing of the fingers gives the free ends of the wrapper a configuration somewhat as shown in full lines in Fig. 14, this action being similar at both ends, both twister mechanisms being approximately similar, the mechanism at the right in Fi 1 having the drive member and the clutci members omitted.

As the movement of slide 66 approaches its end, and after the fingers have closed,

clutch member 60 reaches the path of travel of member 60 thus operatively connecting the drive member to shaft 48 of the twister mechanism at the left in Fig. l, and causing said shaft to rotate, thereby causing the fingers to twist the wrapper end.

The twister mechanism at the right in Fig. 1 is caused to rotate in unison with that at the left by operatively connecting pinions 52 through shaft 11 heretofore referred to this shaft carrying gears 68 in permanent Hence, driving of shaft 4-8't at the left will provide movement to shaft 18 at the right, the movements ofthe shafts being in the same direction when viewed from either end of the machine.

Consequently, if drive member 51 is 1'0 tated in a direction-to cause the shafts to rotate in the proper direction, and the body of the wrapper is held, the twisting action on the wrapper will tend to produce thedesired wrapping effect.

And in vie-w of the ability of the ends to automatically move in a. withdrawal direction damaging of the tissue is practically prevented. Obviously, the number of turns made is not limited. The twist is practically uniform and as the wrapper end reaches its final twisted condition, any excessive turns will simply cause the ends to withdraw from the fingers, so that no damage is provided to relieving the operator of any necessity for attempting to control. 1 Any suitable means may be employed for the purpose, asim'ple mechanism beingshown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which 69 indicates a member carried by shaft 4:1, said member having a cam face 69 adapted to cooperate with a. roller 70 carried by one of the arms 62. Cam face 69" has an offset 69 in which the roller rests when the twisting mechanism is inactive. the arrangement practically locking the twisters against rotation in such position.

When rod 63 is advanced, roller 70 is carried out of this offset, .thus permitting shaft 11' to rotate as the clutch action is produced, placing roller 7 0 against the circumferential portion of the cam, face, and locking the twisting mechanisms in their advanced posi- 5 the number of turns will be similar in each operation.

Return movement of rods 63 carries shaft 58 and cam 56 to their outer positions. Shaft 4:8, however, is temporarily held against return movement by the tension of spring 57 permitting shaft 58 to move outwardly and bring pin 59 at the outer end of slot 48", after which both shafts travel in unison. This temporary holding of shaft 48 also permits cams 56 to move'outwardly to release rollers 5st, permitting fingers 55 to open under the action of springs 55 (Fig. 2) this action taking place while the fingers are in advancedposition andfurther eliminating liability of damaging the tissue wrapper. This places rollers 5% in proper relation to cam '56 and the remaining outward movement simply carries the mechanism to its inactive position with the parts ready for the succeeding operation.

From the above it will be readily understood that while the specific mechanism will operate to provide a wrapper with twisted ends to articles of other characteristics and with wrappers other than tissue paper, it is specifically adapted to produce an inclosing wrapper under conditions more or less onerous, such for example, as indicated herein. For instance, the general type of cigar "has its opposite ends difiering more. or less in configurations; and in addition small vavision is made for adjusting the position of the fingers. This adjustment is bad lb shifting supports 5;, and cams'56 on sha t 48, and shifting arms 64 on rods 63. If

desired indicating mechanisms 71 may be provided for readily locating the parts in proper position.

In Figs. 15 to 181 have shown diagram- -matically the approximate action -which tion.

In Fig. '15 the fingers have collapsed and closed on to the projectingv tube-like ends of the wrapper, thus producing the gripping takes'place during the end-twisting operarelation. The wrapper is indicated at a, the

endat (1?, and the cigar at 6. Closing of the fingers provides a face contact-between the wrapper-end and the finger faces, decreasing in width-toward the point of twist formation.

When relative rotation between the wrapper end and body takes p'lac e, the twist is developed, and while .the untwisted portion of-the end may tend to curl about .the fin gers to a moreor less extent, due to the tendency of the twist to extend beyond the actual development'point, the presence of the fingers will prevent complete curling, the finger faces defining the extent of actual gripping contact, the edges of the fingers-- the boundaries. of the gripping faces-tendingto controlany curl formation in a manv ner to aid in the twist development. Iii this ",the wrapper ends, and are also of .advan- 'tage in the twisting operation, since they fingers.

action the greaterwidth :of contact at the outer end of the untwisted portion acts as-a check.

As willbe seen by referring to Figs. 15.

to 18, inclusive, the gripping faces of the fingers therein shown are of less width than the width of' the wrapper ends when the latter are collapsed between the pairs of fingers preparatoryitothe twisting operation.

Fingers ha'vingfsuch' a width relative to the width of thewrapper ends are of advantage, since by their use it is possible-to continue the twisting operation, so that the twist will extend throughout the length of permit a longitudinal portion or portions of-each gripped wrapper end to assume an embryonic twist formation about the gripper with a tubular wrapper end and ment, and yet maintaining sufiicient position it on the Wrapping plate.

the twisting operation is completed, the, wrapped cigar is removed, permitting the' suction and pasting mechanisms to become This will be better understood when it is consideled'that upon bringinga pair of the fingers'into gripping relation nally thereof, the end will be collapsed leaving'ungripped, a portion or portions of the wrapper end at the side or sides of the gripped portion, so that upon causinga relative rotation between the body portion of the wrapper and its gripped end, the wrapper will not only be twisted upon itself between the gripped portion and the body portion, but the said ungripped portion or ortions will be allowed to assume an emryonic twistformation' about the portion gripped by the fingers.

In this View the withdrawal efiect is more or less exaggerated to illustrate the action. It will be seen, however, that such withdrawal not only decreases the length of contact between the faces of the fingers and the untwisted end but also decreasesthe width of such contact. As a result, the natural tendency of the untwisted portion of the end to decrease in width as the successivetwist developments take place and approach the outer portion of the end, is compensated by the gradual decrease in width of contact provided by the gradual withdrawal moveripping contact to insure continuance o the relative rotation of wrapper "parts which produces the twist. Figs. 17 and 18 indicate the action as the twist formation 'is developed. Obviously, continuation of the rotation will gradually withdraw the entire gers having smooth and flat inner faces with the general edge configuration, 'and being closed onto the wrapperend. By rotating the wrapper body manually while holding the tweezer fingers in a fixed position, the general twisting operation'will be apparent.

The operation of the mechanism will be readily understood. During the end twisting operation the operator can select the succeeding tissue sheet and bring. it to and When active, leaving the sheet properly prepared and ready to receive the cigar to be wrapped,

both hands beipig free to provide the wrapping action. ence, the time required to complete. each cigar is materially reduced As will be clear, the end-twisting operation is applicable for use where a plurality of ob'ects aretoi form the package, the wrapper orming the ihclosui e, andit is to be 1 understoodfllthat such'operation is contemplatedby the present invention, such lurality of objects ervingflasythe equiva ent age.

of the single object in producing the pack- The apparatus is simple in character, having a low cost of manufacture and malntenance, and 1S efiiclent 1n operation.

While I have herein shown and described one or more forms in which my invention may be embodied, together witha preferred manner of use, it is to be understood that the same may have other embodiments and uses without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is to be understood that such disclosure is not intended to define the precise limits of the invention, all'rights to make any and all such changes or modifications as may be found desirable or necessary and which may fall within the scope of the invention pointed out in the claims,

. being specifically reserved.

What I claim is Y 1. In the art of applying wrappers to ar-' ticles the method of twisting the wrapper ends which consists in producing a tube-like wrapper end projecting beyond the article, then collapsing such end by. a pair 'of fingers having opposmg gripping faces of extended length and of a width insufficient to receive the entire width of the end to place an intermediate portion of the opposing opposing faces decreasing in active facial width, and then producing a twist formation in advance of such faces and decreasmg the width of the zones of contact of the gripping faces and the untwisted portion of the end by the formation of successive twists.

3; In the art of applying wrappers to articles, the method of twisting tubular wrapper ends, consisting in gripping opposite faces of one of said tubular ends along a line extending longitudinally thereof leaving ungripped a portion of the wrapper end i at the side of the gripped portion, causing gripped portion.

relative rotation between the body portion of the wrapper and the gripped end, so that the wrapper is twisted upon itself between the gripped portion and the body portion, and the said ungripped portion is allowed to assume a twist formation about the 4, In the art of applying wrappers to articles, the method of twisting the wrapper ends consisting in subjecting a collapsed end of the wrapper to the gripping pressure of opposing faces decreasing in' active facial width toward the pointof' twistdevelop ment, with the faces extending substantially to ,such point, and then producing the twist formation at such point byirelative rotative movements of wrapper body and end.-

5. Inthe art of applying wrappers o ar ticles, the method of twisting the wrapper ends consisting in subjecting a collapsed end of the wrapper to the gripping pressure of opposing faces decreasing in width toward the point of twist-development, 'andthen producing the twist formation at such point by relative rotative movement of wrapper body and end, development of the twist formation by successive rotations acting to shift the untwisted portion of the end in a direction to decrease the width of contact of the gripping faces and suchuntwisted portion.

6. In the art of applying wrappers to articles, the method oftwisting tubular wrapper ends, which consists in gripping opposite faces of said tubular ends along a line extending longitudinally thereof, leaving ungripped a portion of each wrapper end at.

the side of the gripped port-ion, causing a relative rotationbetween the body portion of the wrapper and its gripped ends, and gradually releasing the gripping action during the twisting operation, so that each wrapper end is twisted upon itself between the gripped portion and the body portion and the said ungripped portions are each allowed to assume an embryonic twist for mation about its gripped portion.

7. In wrapping mechanism, a pair of coacting twister fingers eachhaving arelatively long and narrow gripping face, the face of one finger being adapted to be brought into substantial contiguous relation with the companion face of the other finger throughout substantially the length of the gripping faces of the fingers, said fingers when brought together having a combined end configuration of such proportions as to permit the twist formation to take place in immediate proximity to the active portions of the finger ends 8. In wrapping'mechanism, a pair of coacting twister fingers each having a relatively long and narrow gripping face, the face of one finger being adapted to be brought into substantial contiguous relation with the companion face of the other finger throughout substantially the length of thegripping faces of the fingers, and said fingers when brought together having an end configuration of such relatively small dimensions as to be substantially inclosed by an embryo twist formation.

9. In mechanism for inclosing articles inwrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc.,;and in combination, a support for receiving the Wrapped article, gripping mechanism opposite the ends of the support and including fingers increasing in width of face from their advance ends and adapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper, and means for producing relative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of such fingers, said fingers having a gripping resistance insufficient to prevent shifting of the wrapper ends in a direction to withdraw them under such twist developments.

, 10. In mechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a support for'receiving the wrapped article, gripping mechanism opposite the ends of the support and including fingers adapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper, and means for producing relative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of such fingers said fingers havin ri in faces decreasm in active facial g p g b width toward their advanced ends.

ii. In mechanism for inclosing articles inwrapped article, gripping mechanism opposite the ends of the support and including fingers adapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper, and means for producing relative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of such finge'rs, said mechanisms having means for advancing the fingers to gripping position prior to gripping action and of such relative rotating movements and for maintaining them in such advanced position and against endwise movement during such rotating movements.

12. In mechanism for inclosing articlesin wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and-in combination, a support for receiving the wrapped article, gripping mechanism opposite the ends of the support and including .fingers adapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper, and means for producing relative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its grippedends to develop an end twist in advance of such fingers. said mechanisms having means for advancing the fingers. to gripping position prior to such relative rotating movements and for maintaining them in such advanced position and against endwise movement during such rotating movements, said fingers having gripping faces degreasing in width toward their advanced en s.

1.3. In mechanism for inclosing articles in combination, a table on which the article isadapted to be wrapped with untwisted ends, a support in. rear of said table for receiv ng 'thewrapped article from said table, gripwhereby thearticle may be wrapped and placed in end-twisting position by a substantially continuous movement.

l4. Inmechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a table on which the article is 1 adapted to be wrapped with untwisted ends,

pasting mechanism operative to apply a paste stripe tosaid wrapper prior to wrapping to .tack the wrapper in inclosing re lation to the object, a support in rear of said table for receiving the wrapped, article from said table, gripping mechanisms opposite the ends of said support and having fingers adapted to grip the untwisted ends, and means for produei-nglelative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of the fingers, whereby the article may be Wrapped and placed in end-twisting position by a substantially continuous movement.

15. In mechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a table on which the article is adapted to be wrapped with untwisted ends, pasting mechanism operative to apply a paste stripe to said wrapper prior to wrapping to tack the wrapper in inclosing relation to the object, a support in rear of said table for receiving the wrapped article from said table, gripping mechanisms opposite the ends of said support and having fingers adapted to grip the untwisted ends,

ative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of the fingers. whereby the article may be wrapped and placed in endtwisting position by a substantially continuous movement.

16. In mechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a table on which the article is adapted to be wrapped with nntwisted ends, pasting mechanism operative to apply a. paste stripe to said wrapper prior to wrapping to tack the wrapper in inclosing relation to the object, asupport in rear of said table for receiving the wrapped article from said table, gripping mechanisms opposite the ends of said support and having fingers adapted to grip the untwisted ends, means rendered active at will for producing relative rotation between the body of the wrapper and its grippedends during a predetermined length of movement to develop an end twist in advance of the fingers, and

means for rendering said pasting mechanism active at will.

17. In mechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and in combination, a support for receiving the wra ed article ri oin mechanisms 0 positethe ends of the support and including fingers having gripping faces of extended length andadapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper, said fingers having a width less than the gripped ends of the "gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of such fingers, said means being rendered active at will and including mechanism for maintaining such activity to pro; duce a predetermined number of twist-developing rotations.

18.--In mechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to applytissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a support 'for receiving the wrapped article, gripping mechanisms opposite the ends of the support and including fingers having gripping faces of ex tended length and adapted togrip the free ends of the wrapper, said fingers/having a width less than the gripped end of the wrapper and being held against endwise movement during gripping activity, operativeconnections between said mechanisms to cause them to be made operative in unison, and means for producing relative rotation between the body ofthe wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in 19. In mechanism for inclosing articles in wrappers with twisted ends and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and in combination, a "support for receiving the wrapped'article, gripping mechanisms op-.

posite the ends of the support and includingfingersadapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper, said fingers having an inactive position out of the path of movement of the wrapped article while being positioned relative to said support,'said mechanisms also including means for successively advancing the fingers in an endwise direction, closing the fingers on to the free ends of the wrapper, and maintaining the fingers in such advanced position and against endwise movement during the twisting operation,

and means for producing relative rotation .95

between the body of the wrapper and its gripped ends to develop an end twist in advance of such fingers.

' 20. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and'ada'pted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and in combination, a support for positioning the wrapped article relative to'mechanisms operative in producing end-twists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and its wrapper may be brought into wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning, said means including a wrapping table to receive the blank, and suction mechanism for maintaining the blank in position while locating the object on the blank and during the wrapping operation, said suction mechanismincluding means operable at will for rendering such mechanism active.

. 21. In wrapping mechanism for applying ping: table to receive the blank, and means for applying a stripe of adhesive to such blank while positioned on the table, whereby the wrapper will be tacked in advance of the positioning of the object on the support.

22. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and atlulflf-Xl to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a support for positioning the wrapped article relative. to...meeh an isms operative'in producing end-twists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and

means in advance of such support whereby the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative in producing end-twists to the Wrapper and for supporting the article dur- 80 eratively connected to cause 1 the pasting to-apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and

ing the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and its wrapper may be brought the blank while so positioned, said pastingniechanism beingoperative at will.

24. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and in combination, a support for positioning the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative in. producing end-twists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and its Wrapper may be brought into wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning'said' means including a wrapping table to receive the blank, suction mechanism for temporarily maintaining the blank in position on the table, and pasting mechanism for applying a stripe of adhesive tothe blank while so positioned, said pasting mechanism being operative at will, said suction and pasting mechanisms being opmechanism "to act as a time control in rendering the suction mechanism active.

25. In wrapping mechanism 'for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and adapted in combination, a support for positioning the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative .in producing end-twists to the 40 wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the, object and its, wrapper may be brought into wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning, said means including a wrapping table to receive the blank, suction mechanlsm for temporarily maintaining the blank in positionon the table, and pasting mechanism for applying a stripe of adhesive to the blank while so positioned, said pasting mechanism being operative at will, and operating connections between the suction and pasting mechanisms to provide concurrent activity of said mechanisms with the suction mechanism rendered active in advance of the stripe application.

26. In wrapping mechanism for applyin inclosing wrappers to articles and adaptet l to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc., and in combination, a support for positioning the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative iuproducing end-twists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, andmeans 1n advance of such support whereby the object anditswrapper may be brought into proper wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning, said means including a wrapping table to receive the blank, and mechanism for applying a stripe of adhesive to the blank while so positioned to permitv tacking of the blank in wrapped position,

'edge, whereby the character ot the stripe may be controlled.

27. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars,

etc., and in combination, a support for positioning the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative in producing endt'wists to the wrapper and for-supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and'its wrapper may be brought into proper wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning, said means including a wrapping table-to receive the blank, and mechanism for applying a stripe of adhesive to the blank while so positioned to permit tacking of the blank in wrapped position, said latter mechanism including an element carrying the adhesive, an adhesivesupply, and means operative at will for moving said element between supply and stripe-applying positions, said supply being rendered active automatically during the whereby the object and its wrapper may be.

brought into wrapped, relation preliminary to, such positioning, said means including a wrapping table to receive'the blank, suction mechanism formaintaining the blank in.

position, mechanism for applying a stripe of adhesive to the blank while so positioned to permit tacking of the blank in wrapped --position, such suction and stripeapplying mechanisms being operatively con- 'nected to' render the suction mechanism active in advance of stripe-application, and means independent of the stripe-applying mechanism for controlling the duration of suction activity.

, end-twisting operation and during inactiv- 29. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a support for posi:

tioning the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative in producing endtwists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and its Wrapper may be brought into wrapped relation preliininary to such positioning, said means including a' wrapping table to receive the blank, and means for applying a stripe of adhesive to an intermediate portionofthe length of the blank, whereby the blank will be tacked in position when wrapped on the object.

30. In Wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination, a supportfor positioning the wrapped -article relative to mechanisms operative in producing end twists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and its v rap.-. per may be brought into wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning, said means including a wrapping table to receive the blank, and means for applying a stripe of adhesive to an intermediate portion of the blank, whereby the blank will be tacked in position when wrapped on the object, said latter means including an element having an adhesive-applying length equal to the length of the stripe.

31. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles and adapted to apply tissue wrappers to cigars, etc, and in combination,a support for posi-' tioning the wrapped article relative to mechanisms operative in producing endtwists to the wrapper and for supporting the article during the operations of such mechanisms, and means in advance of such support whereby the object and its wrapper may be brought into wrapped relation preliminary to such positioning, saidmeans including a wrapping table to receive the blank, and means for applying a stripe of adhesive'to an intermediate portion ofthe blank, whereby the blank will be tacked in position when wrapped on the object, said latter means including an element having an adhesive-applying length equal to the length of the stripe, and means for moving said element in contact with the blank to produce the stripe width.

32. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles with the wrapper having twisted ends, and in combination, a support adapted to receive the wrapped article and support it during twist development, and mechanism for producing relatlve movements between the wrapper body and ends, said mechanism inwrapped article and support it during twist development, and mechanism for producing relativemovements between the wrapper body and ends, said mechanism including opposing fingers positioned opposite the ends of the support andadapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper during the twisting operation, and means for moving said fingers in substantial unison from positions of inactivity to such gripping positions, said means operating successively to' advance each set of fingers endwise toward the support, to close the. fingers when in such advanced positions, and to maintain them in such positions and against endwise movement during the twist-developing operation.

34. In wrapping mechanism for; applying inclosing wrappers to articles with the wrapper having twisted ends, and in combination, a support adapted to receive the wrapped article and support it during twist development, and mechanism for producing relative movements between the wrapper body and ends, said mechanism including opposing fingers positioned opposite the ends of the support and adapted to grip the free ends of the wrapper during the twisting op- A eration, and means for moving said fingers from positions of inactivity to such gripping positions, said means including anendwise movable support for each set of fingers, means for limiting the length of movement of each support, cam mechanism for closing the fingers of each set, and mechanism operative from a single point rendering said a cam mechanisms active to close the fingers when said'support is at one extreme of its endwise movement.

' 35. In wrapping mechanism for applying inclosing wrappers to articles with the wrapper having twisted ends, and in combina- -tion, a support adapted to receive the wrapped article and support it during twist development, and mechanism for producing relative movements between the wrapper body and ends, said mechanism including opposing fingers positioned opposite the ends the support and adapted to grip the free 

